Breakthrough is coming - there is an old saying that it is darkest just before the dawn. God’s desire for all of us is to break through. He does not want us to break down or break up. Joseph, who was a slave, accused of raping his master’s wife, is thrown into prison. Then as everything seems like it’s hopeless, Joseph gets appointed the second in command over all of Egypt. From the prison to the palace, now that’s breakthrough. Everyone has situations, and we all have a choice. We can use our situation as our motivation, or we can use it as our excuse. You never know when you might be just three feet from gold. Let’s walk by faith, and not by sight, always expecting God to make a way when there appears to be no way

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and
immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed." - (Acts 16:25-26)

Have you ever been in a hard place where you couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel? 

There is an old saying that it is darkest just before the dawn. 

God’s desire for all of us is to break through. 

He does not want us to break down or break up. 

He wants us to break through!

In Genesis 39 we see the story of Joseph being falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife. 

Verse 20 says, “Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” 

Joseph was already a slave to his master Potiphar, but now he’s a convicted rapist whose been thrown into prison. 

Now it can’t get much worse than what Joseph was facing, but even in prison, God was with him. 

God used Joseph in prison to interpret dreams for some of the inmates. 

One of those inmates was the Chief Butler who told Pharaoh about Joseph’s dream interpreting skills.

Joseph was later able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream and was set free, but that’s not all. 

As we read in Genesis 41:39-42 it says, “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 

"'You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.' 

"And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'

"Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.”

Here we see Joseph, who was a slave, accused of raping his master’s wife, is thrown into prison with no hope of ever getting out. 

Then as everything seems like it’s hopeless, Joseph gets appointed the second in command over all of Egypt with gifts of gold from Pharaoh. 

From the prison to the palace, now that’s breakthrough!

If people saw what they had to go through to get to the palace they might quit and never get their breakthrough.

That’s why the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7,

“to walk by faith and not by sight.” 

Everyone has situations, and we all have a choice. 

We can use our situation as our motivation, or we can use it as our excuse. 

You never know when you might be just three feet from gold! 

So, let’s walk by faith, and not by sight, always expecting God to make a way when there appears to be no way.  

“Victory Is Not In The Fight, But In The Surrender”

Cheryl H

New Life Network is a unique ministry designed to serve and support all those who are seeking to find who they are in Christ at various business functions and other large ministry outreaches. Recognizing the need for such support, New Life Network was born from the desire of both businessmen and ordained ministers to assist others as they make new choices, develop new lifestyles, and embark on their New Life in Christ.

newlifenetwork.org

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Greater Capacity Means Greater Responsibility - capacity is your potential for growth. It’s important because people who increase in competence are given greater responsibility in their work. All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. Growing businesses requires growing people. The moment the people stop growing, the business can’t grow. If you stop learning new skills and say, “That’s all I need to know,” you’re limiting your capacity. But if you keep learning, you’ll keep growing, and God will keep blessing. increasing your capacity often takes initiative and sometimes even sacrifice. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you how you grow personally and professionally

“Potiphar . . . made Joseph his personal attendant. 

"He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

"From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake.” - Genesis 39:4-5 (NLT)

What is your potential for growth?

Are you going to read any books in the next year? 

Are you going to take any seminars? 

Are you going to grow? 

Are you going to develop any skills? 

Are you going to learn any relationship skills? 

Or are you just going to be the same 10 years from today as you are right now?

Capacity is your potential for growth. 

It’s important because people who increase in competence are given greater responsibility in their work.

All leaders are learners. 

The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.

Growing businesses requires growing people. 

The moment the people stop growing, the business can’t grow.

I remember having staff members at Saddleback Church whose number-one characteristic was the ability to keep growing and learning. 

They didn’t insist on doing the same thing they had always done but instead tried new methods and came up with new ideas.

This is what happened with Joseph. 

He grew in capacity by stretching himself and learning and growing. 

Genesis 39:4-5 says, “Potiphar . . . made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake” (NLT).

Is God blessing the business you work for?

Is that church, that business, that organization prospering because you’re there? 

Do you have that kind of capacity?

When Joseph was put in charge, the Lord began to bless Potiphar for Joseph’s sake:

“All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished” - (Genesis 39:5 NLT). 

Why? 

Because Joseph had capacity.

When Joseph was first taken to Egypt as a slave, he wasn’t able to handle all that stuff. 

He had to learn how to manage livestock and a household. 

He had to learn and grow as he was given more responsibility.

If you stop learning new skills and say, “That’s all I need to know,” you’re limiting your capacity. 

But if you keep learning, you’ll keep growing, and God will keep blessing.

Talk It Over

What are some practical steps you can take this week to learn a new skill or gain new knowledge about your job or your field of work?

Increasing your capacity often takes initiative and sometimes even sacrifice. 

Why is it important for an employer to see these traits in you?

Are you considering a career change because you believe you’ve gone as far as you can go in your present job? 

Spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you how you grow personally and professionally.

By Rick Warren

Daily Hope with Rick Warren

Rick Warren was born in San Jose, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts from California Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church when he was just 26 years old and he continues to serve as the senior pastor. To many, he is Pastor Rick, but to his church, he is Papa Rick—a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement, and vision.

purposedriven.com

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The Jewels of the Lord - God does take note of our times of spiritual fellowship with other believers especially when they occur during times of stress and worldly opposition. The jewels of the Lord are not rubies and diamonds but rather are “they that feared the LORD” and who “spake often one to another.” The word for jewels suggests treasure carefully guarded in a safe place. The word is translated “a special people unto himself.” Instead of being mounted in a crown or other adornment as precious stones would be, these jewels will be listed in a very special book. What a blessing it would be if, when we get to heaven, we should find our names written in that special book of God’s memories

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"By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones." - Hebrews 11:22

Look back over the extraordinary life of Joseph. 

What does the rest of the Bible have to say about him?

He was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. 

He overcame extraordinary difficulties and was blessed with the most unlikely success. 

He served as the governor of Egypt, and through his God-given wisdom, he saved the lives of thousands of people, including the family of God to whom the great promise of a Redeemer had been given.

But when you come to the New Testament, very little is said about Joseph. 

Of all Joseph said and did, just one thing is recorded about him: his bones. 

At the end of his life, Joseph “gave directions concerning his bones” (Hebrews 11:22).

Here’s what this means for us. 

What matters more than the things you achieve in your life is where you will be after your death. 

You may have great accomplishments in this world, but what will they be on the day you die?

"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul" (Mark 8:36)? 

When Joseph came to his last days, the thing that mattered was not what he suffered or achieved. 

It was that he had put his hope in the promise of God, and he knew he was destined for a better land in which he would enjoy a better life.

The book of Genesis ended in a coffin in Egypt.

Spreading out from Eden, sin and death had covered the world. 

And even Joseph, the most godly person of his day, was caught up in pain and loss. 

But Joseph points us to Jesus and the hope of the gospel: our Savior is not in a coffin. His tomb is empty. He is risen.

To all who believe in Him, Jesus promises, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

Are you placing all your hope in what you can achieve in this life? 

Or on where you will be in the next?

openthebible.org

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Angel of Death - this “angel of death” concept is not taught in the Bible, God, and God alone, is sovereign over the timing of our deaths

New Heavens and the New Earth - brings the promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” - the new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death

Reincarnation - the condition of the human soul in the afterlife is clearly permanent; neither reincarnation nor purgatory is a biblical option

God Uses Your Work to Develop Your Character - life is preparation for eternity. You’re not going to take your career with you to heaven, but you are going to take your character. He is much more interested in your character than he is in your career. And while you are here on earth, God is developing your character and testing your faithfulness. He’s watching to determine what kind of job he is going to give you in eternity. Whatever work God has given you, be faithful to do it will. Remember, it’s more about your character than it is about your career

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . 

"If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 

"And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” - Luke 16:10-12 (NIV)

The book of Genesis tells the story of a man named Joseph. 

God gave Joseph a vision of becoming a great leader, but for 40 years he lived and worked as a slave, and for much of that time he was imprisoned. 

Those decades were the testing ground of Joseph’s character.

When the day came and the time was just right, God pulled Joseph out of that setting and placed him in a position of power in Egypt — where he had always planned for Joseph to be. 

During all the difficult years of toil, God had been growing Joseph’s character and preparing him for his leadership role.

Whatever your work is — whether you’re working hard in obscurity or enjoying a position of power — God is developing your character too. 

In fact, God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do; he is much more interested in your character than he is in your career. 

Your workplace is a life course in character development.

Do you have a boss who drives you nuts? 

Think about this: God can use a boss who tests your patience — or a workplace that you’re unhappy in — to develop and grow your character. 

He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, and patience in your heart, and then he fertilizes those seeds while you work.

You may be at work and wonder, “How come this is going on? Why is this such a tough place? Why are these people picking on me? Why can’t I be happier at my workplace?” 

You’re basically asking the same question that Solomon asked in Ecclesiastes 1:3: “You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it?” (GNT).

The answer is this: character. 

Life is preparation for eternity. 

You’re not going to take your career with you to heaven, but you are going to take your character. 

And while you are here on earth, God is developing your character and testing your faithfulness. 

Will you be faithful to do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it?

He’s watching to determine what kind of job he is going to give you in eternity.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10-12, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much . . . 

"If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 

"And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (NIV).

Whatever work God has given you, be faithful to do it will. 

Remember, it’s more about your character than it is about your career!

Talk It Over

What struggles are you facing in your workplace?

How might God be using those struggles to build your character?

What’s one supportive thing you can do this week for one of your coworkers?

Written by Rick Warren

Daily Hope with Rick Warren 

FROM BUILDING MY LIFE ON VALUES THAT LAST

Rick Warren was born in San Jose, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts from California Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church when he was just 26 years old and he continues to serve as the senior pastor. To many, he is Pastor Rick, but to his church, he is Papa Rick—a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement, and vision.

purposedriven.com

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God Gives You The Ability To Produce Wealth - God’s gift to produce wealth is a good and perfect gift if you realize where the gift came

Want To Be Rich? - God wants to shower you with blessings and riches - He gives us richly all things to enjoy

Hidden Treasure - God offers you the riches of His Kingdom. But to possess it, you must seek Him and commit your life to Him

Trials Become Triumphs -God not merely rescue us from affliction. He brings joy and plentiful fruit out of it. He turns our suffering into celebration. God is grieved in our grief and mourns with us in our mourning. But He doesn’t leave us alone in it and doesn’t let it be the end of the story. He works in it for our good. He transforms our very trouble into hope. He delights in turning our trials into triumphs. Our problems aren’t just a distraction; they are often the very thing God is using to turn our ashes into beauty. Will every sorrow be turned into joy, or every tear be turned into laughter? Maybe not in a specific, one-to-one way we can point to in this lifetime. We can all think of sorrows we haven’t yet seen a silver lining from. But overall, turning sorrow into joy is God’s plan for us

When Our Trials Become Triumphs

If you’re familiar with the story of Joseph, you know he didn’t have it easy.

In Genesis 37, his jealous brothers threw him into a pit and left him to die, then thought better of it and sold him into slavery instead.

He was taken to Egypt from his home in the land of Canaan.

After a while, he thrived as the personal servant to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, put in charge of the whole household.

But when his master’s wife falsely accused Joseph of trying to seduce her, Joseph was thrown into prison.

In prison, Joseph again became a leader, but still stayed forgotten and imprisoned until he finally got the chance to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.

In all, he spent about thirteen years waiting and suffering, from the time his brothers sold him until Pharaoh finally raised him up.

But then God didn’t just release him and send him home. He brought great good out of the trial itself.

Joseph was given the wisdom to save the land from famine. 

He was put in charge of Egypt, and eventually, God used him to save even his brothers and his people from famine.

When he named his children, in Genesis 41:51-52 (HCSB), “Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, meaning, ‘God has made me forget all my hardship in my father’s house.’ 

"And the second son he named Ephraim, meaning, ‘God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’”

This is what God often does for His people. 

He does not merely rescue us from affliction. 

He brings joy and plentiful fruit out of it. 

He turns our suffering into celebration.

I believe God is grieved in our grief, and mourns with us in our mourning.

Isaiah 63:9 (NIV) says, “In all their distress he too was distressed.”

But He doesn’t leave us alone in it, and doesn’t let it be the end of the story.

As in all things, He works in it for our good (Romans 8:28).

In the words of Psalm 30:11 (NLT), “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. 

"You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”

In Hosea 2:15 (NET), God says of Israel, “From there I will give back her vineyards to her, and turn the ‘Valley of Trouble’ into an ‘Opportunity for Hope.’ 

"There she will sing as she did when she was young, when she came up from the land of Egypt.”

God not only saves us out of trouble, but so often, He transforms our very trouble into hope. He seems to delight in turning our trials into triumphs.

I’ve seen people lose their jobs, only to find a much better fit or a whole new path.

I’ve known of marriages on the brink that became testimonies to God’s goodness and glory.

I’ve had friends who wrestled with infertility who could not imagine their lives without the children they eventually adopted.

I’ve seen people hurt deeply in relationships who found their hearts healed through other relationships, or even through their relationships with God.

And ministry opportunities often grow out of hardship.

A friend who lost a baby started a support group for those who have been through the same pain.

People dealing with disease or disability have become crusaders for hope and change.

Friends who have battled addictions and found victory have gone on to find some of their greatest fulfillment in working with recovery ministries, helping to lead others out of similar struggles.

As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV), “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Any pain, affliction, or suffering that causes us to turn to the Lord and put our hope more firmly in Him, learning to walk with Him more closely and get to know Him better, has everlasting benefits that will exceed the current difficulty.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV), “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Our problems aren’t just a distraction; they are often the very thing God is using to turn our ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3).

The biggest example of all, of course, is that of Christ.

He was rejected by people, insulted, crucified, and bore the weight of everyone else’s sins, including those who had put Him to death.

But thanks to His merciful Father — who is also our Father — that wasn’t the end of the story. He came back to life.

He conquered death, once and for all, and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1:3).

Because of what He suffered and overcame, we don’t have to suffer forever. 

His trial is our triumph for all time.

Will every sorrow be turned into joy, or every tear be turned into laughter?

Maybe not in a specific, one-to-one way we can point to in this lifetime.

We can all think of sorrows we haven’t yet seen a silver lining from.

But overall, turning sorrow into joy is God’s plan for us.

He takes our sin and gives us salvation. 

He takes our guilt and gives us freedom. 

He takes our hurts and gives us healing. 

He takes our shame and sets us free.

Take hope, then, all you who trust in the Lord!

In the words of Psalm 126 (NIV), “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 

"They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”

Alison Dellenbaugh

Alison Dellenbaugh (M.A. in Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Spiritual Formation Resource Manager at Central Bible Church and editor of the Next Step Disciple website.

theprayingwoman.com

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Stay in Faith No Matter What - our world today is experiencing famine in various places. Yet famine has many faces, and the various trials and afflictions in our lives can have the same frightening effect to test the metal of our faith. Many of us are being severely tested these days with trials that are shaking us to the core. There are faithful who have persevered through to victory and received tremendous blessings for their stand of unswerving faith. The Lord Yeshua Jesus will be faithful to us, and He will abundantly reward our faith in Him

The promise of victory is available to us who TREAD upon the power of the enemy - at a time like this, with giants in our land, we need this militant attitude which the Lord gave Joshua to walk in His victory and tread over the power of the enemy. The giants of fear, despair, and discouragement can stay under our feet when we stand in the courage of faith. The promise of victory is available to us. To claim it requires faith and obedient action. With obedience comes God’s faithfulness and security

Flight or Fight - it doesn’t matter how encircled we may be by oncoming trials. No matter what direction the assaults come from, the Lord has us covered. This is true not just in some circumstances but in all of them. God has control over all our concerns and worries. He is a shield that covers every inch of our being, leaving no opening for the enemy’s piercing arrows. Today, let God’s very presence be your greatest shield in whatever trial you may face

There’s Meaning in the Mess - you may be in a bad situation right now. It may seem like everything in your life has gone wrong. People with bad intentions may have hurt you. But God intends to bring good out of it. He wants you to bring him the broken pieces of your life. He can bring peace out of those pieces. God doesn’t cause your problems. But he does allow them so he can use them for his own good intentions, even when other people have bad intentions. God can take everything in your life - the good stuff, the bad stuff, the hurtful stuff, the bizarre stuff - and use it for good. Remember, God’s purpose is greater than any problems you’ve been through. And he’ll bring good out of them if you’ll trust him. What problem are you in the middle of right now? Spend some time in prayer, telling God you trust him to bring good out of it

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Every problem in your life has a purpose; there’s meaning in the mess of it all.

When you’re in the middle of a difficulty, it’s hard to see its purpose. 

But hindsight is 20/20 - so when you look back at a problem after you’ve gotten through it, you often can see what God was doing.

In the 1980s and ’90s, there was a TV show called MacGyver.

It was fun to watch because MacGyver could make something out of nothing. 

He’d gather bailing wire, chewing gum, and acetone, and suddenly he’d have built a whole rocket ship. 

He could use anything - even the everyday, ordinary things around him - for his own purposes. 

Let me tell you - God is so much better than MacGyver! 

He can take everything in your life - the good stuff, the bad stuff, the hurtful stuff, the bizarre stuff - and use it for good.

Remember, God doesn’t cause your problems. 

But he does allow them so he can use them for his own good intentions, even when other people have bad intentions.

A great example of this in the Bible is the story of Joseph.

 Joseph faced a whole string of terrible problems. 

He was sold into slavery by his own brothers. 

He was falsely accused of seducing his master’s wife. He was thrown into prison. 

But Joseph kept on being faithful. 

And eventually he was placed second in charge over all of Egypt. 

In this role, he was able to save entire nations from famine. He was even able to save his own family - including his brothers, who had sold him into slavery. 

He told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” - (Genesis 50:20 NIV). 

Joseph knew that God’s good intentions had been working, even in the bad circumstances of his life.

You, too, may be in a bad situation right now. 

It may seem like everything in your life has gone wrong. 

People with bad intentions may have hurt you. 

But God intends to bring good out of it. 

He wants you to bring him the broken pieces of your life. 

He can bring peace out of those pieces.

Remember, God’s purpose is greater than any problems you’ve been through. 

And he’ll bring good out of them if you’ll trust him.

Talk It Over

When have you seen God bring meaning out of a mess?

How does Joseph’s story encourage you?

What problem are you in the middle of right now?

Spend some time in prayer, telling God you trust him to bring good out of it.

By Rick Warren

Daily Hope with Rick Warren

Rick Warren was born in San Jose, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts from California Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church when he was just 26 years old and he continues to serve as the senior pastor. To many, he is Pastor Rick, but to his church, he is Papa Rick—a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement, and vision.

purposedriven.com

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